Cleaner and method for controlling the same

ABSTRACT

A cleaner is provided that includes a head having a base, which is configured to face a surface to be cleaned, and an intermediate connector detachably coupled to a bottom of the base at an upper surface of the intermediate connector. Further, the intermediate connector supports a cleaning member that is detachably coupled to a lower surface of the intermediate connector. Additionally, the cleaner also includes a first coupler to detachably couple the intermediate connector to the bottom of the base.

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2005-117973, filed on Dec. 6, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaner, and more particularly, to acleaner having a structure capable of achieving easy coupling andseparation of a cleaning member, and a method for controlling the same.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Generally, a vacuum cleaner sucks air containing foreign matter such asdust, separates the foreign matter from the sucked air, and collects theseparated foreign matter. In the following description, the function ofsuch a vacuum cleaner to suck air and to remove foreign matter from thesucked air will be referred to as a “vacuum cleaning function”.

The vacuum cleaner includes a cleaner body, which includes an airsuction nozzle for sucking air, and a dust collector for separatingforeign matter from the sucked air, and collecting the separated foreignmatter, and a connecting tube for guiding the foreign matter suckedthrough the suction nozzle to the cleaner body.

An air suction unit, which generates an air suction force, is installedin the cleaner body. The cleaner body also includes a dust-collectingcontainer mounting section arranged at a certain position of the cleanerbody, in order to mount the dust collecting container in the cleanerbody.

Traveling wheels are mounted to the cleaner body at opposite sides of arear portion of the cleaner body. A freely-rotatable caster is mountedto a front portion of the bottom of the cleaner body, for directionchange of the cleaner body.

Meanwhile, a general steam cleaner is also known which is configured toeasily clean dirt strongly attached to a floor using steam generated byheating a cleaning member contacting the floor while supplying water tothe cleaning member. In the following description, the function of sucha steam cleaner to clean a floor using steam will be referred to as a“steam cleaning function”.

Hereinafter, a conventional steam cleaner will be described withreference to FIG. 1.

The steam cleaner shown in FIG. 1 includes a cleaner body 1, a steamgenerator (not shown) installed in the cleaner body 1, and adapted togenerate steam, and an extension rod 2 functioning as a handle when theuser moves the cleaner body 1.

The steam generator includes a water container for supplying water, anda heater for converting water into steam. The extension rod extends fromthe top of the cleaner body 1 while being hingably mounted to thecleaner body 1.

A dustcloth 3 for cleaning a floor is detachably attached to the bottomof the cleaner body 1. The dustcloth 3 is heated by steam generated bythe steam generator, so that it contains moisture. Thus, the dustclothattached to the bottom of the cleaner body 1 can effectively clean thecontaminated floor while being moved in accordance with movement of thecleaner body 1.

When the user desires to directly attach the dustcloth to the bottom ofthe cleaner body 1, he lifts up the cleaner body 1, and then lays thecleaner body 1 on the dustcloth. However, there is a problem in theprocedure of lifting up the cleaner body, and laying the cleaner body onthe dustcloth. That is, it is difficult to attach the dustcloth to thebottom of the cleaner body 1 at a correct position.

Furthermore, there is a drawback in that the cleaner body may be tooheavy to enable some users to lift up and move the cleaner body. Inaddition, although the attachment of the dustcloth to the bottom of thecleaner body may be achieved by overturning the cleaner body, andattaching the dustcloth to the cleaner body, without using the procedureof lifting up and moving the cleaner body, the overturning procedure isinconvenient.

The above-mentioned steam cleaner further has a drawback in that, whenthe user desires to separate the dustcloth from the cleaner body aftercompletion of cleaning, he/she must manually perform the separation ofthe hot dustcloth.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a cleaner and a methodfor controlling the same that substantially obviate one or more problemsdue to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner and a methodfor controlling the same which are capable of easily positioning acleaning member of the cleaner at a correct position, i.e., such thatthe cleaning member is properly positioned on, for example, a head ofthe cleaner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cleaner and amethod for controlling the same which are capable of easily coupling andseparating (i.e., detachably coupling) a cleaner member for a steamcleaning operation.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, acleaner includes a head (body) including a base facing a surface to becleaned; an intermediate connector separably coupled to a bottom of thebase at an upper surface of the intermediate connector, the intermediateconnector supporting a cleaning member separably (or detachably) coupledto a lower surface of the intermediate connector, and adapted to cleanthe surface to be cleaned; and a first coupler for separably couplingthe intermediate connector to the bottom of the base at a correctposition.

The first coupler may comprise coupling grooves provided at one of theintermediate connector and the base, and coupling protrusions providedat the other one of the intermediate connector and the base. Thecoupling protrusions correspond with the coupling grooves, respectively.However, it should be appreciated that any suitable detachable couplingarrangement can be employed.

Additionally, the coupling protrusions and the coupling grooves may becoupled together by a magnetic force.

One of each coupling groove and each coupling protrusion may be made ofa metal material. The other one of each coupling groove and eachcoupling protrusion may be made of a magnetic material.

The intermediate connector may include a coupling releaser for releasingthe coupling between the intermediate connector and the base.

The coupling releaser may be arranged at (or proximate) a peripheralportion of the intermediate connector positioned at the rear of the headwhen viewing in an advance direction of the head.

The cleaner may further comprise a steam generator arranged on the base,and adapted to generate steam.

The cleaner may further comprise an injection guide provided at thebottom of the base, and adapted to inject the steam generated by thesteam generator to the cleaning member.

The intermediate connector may further include a guide hole engagingwith the injection guide, for positioning of the intermediate connector.

One of the guide hole and the injection guide may have side surfacesformed with side protrusions. The other one of the guide hole and theinjection guide may have side surfaces formed with insertion groovescorresponding to the side protrusions.

The side protrusions and insertion grooves may be coupled together by amagnetic force.

The cleaner may further comprise a water tank communicating with thesteam generator, to supply water to the steam generator.

The cleaner may further comprise a second coupler for coupling thecleaning member and the intermediate connector.

The cleaner may further comprise an air suction tube arranged orprovided on the base, and adapted to suck air containing foreign matterpresent on the surface to be cleaned.

In another aspect of the present invention, a cleaner comprises acleaner body including a fan-motor assembly for sucking air, andforcibly causing the sucked air to flow; a dust collector separablycoupled to the cleaner body, and adapted to separate foreign matter (ordebris) from the sucked air and to collect the separated foreign matter;a head including an air suction tube for sucking air in accordance withan operation of the fan-motor assembly, and a steam generator arrangedat one side of the air suction tube, and adapted to generate steam; anintermediate connector separably coupled to a bottom of the head at anupper surface of the intermediate connector, the intermediate connectorsupporting a cleaning member separably (or detachably) coupled to alower surface of the intermediate connector, and adapted to clean thesurface to be cleaned, using the steam; and a first coupler forseparably (or detachably) coupling the intermediate connector to thebottom of the head at a correct position.

The cleaner may further comprise a connector for separably connectingthe cleaner body and the head, to enable the cleaner to simultaneouslyor selectively perform a vacuum cleaning function for sucking air, toremove foreign matter from a contaminated (or soiled) surface, and asteam cleaning function for cleaning the contaminated surface usingsteam.

The cleaner may further comprise a partition plate for preventing thesteam from entering a base opening formed through the bottom of the headto communicate with the air suction tube.

In still another aspect of the present invention, a method forcontrolling a cleaner includes coupling a cleaning member for cleaningof a contaminated surface to an intermediate connector; coupling theintermediate connector to a bottom of the head at a correct position;performing a steam cleaning operation for steam-cleaning thecontaminated surface by injecting steam to the cleaning member; andseparating the intermediate connector from the head after completion ofthe steam cleaning operation.

The method may further comprise performing a vacuum cleaning operationby sucking air containing foreign matter (or debris) through an airsuction tube mounted to the head, and removing the foreign matter fromthe sucked air.

The steam cleaning operation and the vacuum cleaning operation may besimultaneously or selectively performed.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detail descriptionwhich follows, in reference to the noted plurality of drawings, by wayof non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, in which like characters represent like elements throughoutthe several views of the drawings, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional steam cleaner;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cleaner accordingto the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating an inner structure of ahead shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view schematically illustrating the headshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating coupling of anintermediate connector to the head according to the present invention;and

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating coupling of acleaning member to the intermediate connector according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention onlyand are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be themost useful and readily understood description of the principles andconceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no attemptis made to show structural details of the present invention in moredetail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of thepresent invention, the description taken with the drawings makingapparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of thepresent invention may be embodied in practice.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention examples which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cleaner accordingto a non-limiting embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, thecleaner according to the present invention will be described withreference to FIG. 2.

The cleaner has both a steam cleaning function and a vacuum cleaningfunction, and may operate to simultaneously or separately achieve thesteam cleaning function and the vacuum cleaning function.

The cleaner includes a head 100 movable along a floor to be cleaned, acleaner body 300 separate from the head 100, and a connector 200 forconnecting the head 100 to the cleaner body 300.

The connector 200 also functions to guide contaminated air sucked intothe head 100 toward the cleaner body 300. The connector 200 includes afirst coupling tube 210 directly coupled to the head 100, an extensiontube 220 coupled to the first coupling tube 210, and an extension tubehandle 230 mounted to an upper end of the extension tube 220. Theconnector 200 also includes a connecting hose 240 coupled to theextension tube handle 230, and a second connecting tube 250 forconnecting the connecting hose 240 to the cleaner body 300.

The first coupling tube 210 extends from the head 100. The extensiontube 220 has a telescopic tube structure such that it is adjustable inlength. A control panel 231 for controlling operation of the cleaner isinstalled on the extension tube handle 230.

A portable power supply may be installed in the head 100. Alternatively,the head 100 may be electrically connected to an external power source.Accordingly, when it is desired to perform only the steam cleaningfunction, it may be possible to use only the head 100 under thecondition in which the head 100 is separated from the cleaner body 300by separating the extension tube handle 230 from the connecting hose240.

The first coupling tube 210, second coupling tube 250, and extensiontube 220 may be made of a hard material, whereas the connecting hose 240may be made of a flexible material. The first coupling tube 210,extension tube 220, extension tube handle 230, connecting hose 240, andsecond coupling tube 250 may be coupled to one another in a hookingmanner. Of course, the constituent elements of the connector 200 may bethreadedly coupled to one another. Also, both the threadedly-couplingmethod and the hooking method may be used.

A fan-motor assembly (not shown) is installed in the cleaner body 300,in order to suck air, and thus, to forcibly cause the air to flow. Whena vacuum cleaning mode is set by the user, the fan-motor assembly isoperated, thereby causing foreign matter (or debris) on the floor to besucked into the head 100, together with air.

A cleaner handle 310 is provided at the top of the cleaner body 300, inorder to allow the user to carry the cleaner body 300. Wheels 320 arerotatably mounted to a rear portion of the cleaner body 300 at oppositesides of the cleaner body 300, respectively, to enable the cleaner body300 to move smoothly along the floor.

A freely-rotatable caster (not shown) is mounted to a front portion ofthe bottom of the cleaner body 300, for direction change of the cleanerbody 300. A dust collector 330 is separably coupled to the cleaner body300 inside the cleaner body 300, in order to separate foreign matterfrom the sucked air, and to collect the separated foreign matter.

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view illustrating an inner structure of thehead in the cleaner of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective viewillustrating the head.

The head 100 includes a base 10 arranged to face the floor to becleaned, and a steam generator 20 arranged on the base 10 at one side ofthe base 10, and adapted to generate steam. The head 100 also includesan air suction tube 30 functioning as an air suction passage, and awater tank 40 for supplying water to the steam generator 20.

An agitator (not shown) for shaking dust off a floor or a carpet, amotor (not shown) for driving the agitator, and a belt (not shown) fortransmitting a rotating force from the motor to the agitator may also beinstalled in the head 100.

The steam generator 20 includes a case 21 provided with an water inletand a steam outlet, and a heater (not shown) arranged in the interior ofthe case.

The case 21 has a chamber defined in the case 21 to contain a certainamount of water. The water inlet and steam outlet are arranged at asubstantially-upper portion of the case 21, in order to prevent waterfrom being outwardly discharged from the interior of the case 21 throughthe water inlet, and to enable steam generated in the case 21 to besmoothly discharged through the steam outlet.

The heater is fitted into the case 21 from the outside of the case 21.The steam generator may further include a water level sensor for sensingthe water level in the case 21.

The water level sensor senses a minimum water level and a maximum waterlevel, and sends the resultant data to a controller for controlling thesteam generator 20. Based on the data sent from the water level sensor,the controller controls the steam generator 20.

The steam generator 20 is arranged or provided on the base 10 at oneside of the base 10, whereas the water tank 40 is arranged on the base10 at the other side of the base 10 while communicating with the steamgenerator 20. The air suction tube 30 is arranged on the base 10 at acentral portion of the base 10, namely, between the steam generator 20and the water tank 40.

Auxiliary wheels (not shown) may be mounted to a front end of the bottomof the base 10, for movement of the head 100. The auxiliary wheels arereceived in wheel recesses 12 formed in the bottom of the base 10,respectively.

The air suction tube 30 may communicate with a base opening 11. Forexample, the base opening 11 may be formed through a front end of thebottom of the base 10 when viewing in a cleaning advance direction ofthe cleaner.

An intermediate connector 50 may be mounted to a rear end of the bottomof the base 10, as a medium for coupling the base 10 and a couplingmember. The intermediate connector 50 may be separably (or detachably)coupled, at an upper surface thereof, to the bottom of the base 10. Thecleaning member may be coupled to a lower surface of the intermediateconnector 50. The cleaning member performs cleaning using steam.

A partition plate 16 may be arranged between the base opening 11 and theintermediate connector 50. The partition plate 16 functions to preventsteam discharged through the lower surface of the intermediate connector50 from entering the base opening 11.

The coupling of the base and intermediate connector will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 5.

The intermediate connector 50 and base 10 may be coupled to each otherby a first coupler including, by way of non-limiting example, elementsdesignated reference numerals 15 and 55.

For Example, the first coupler may include coupling grooves 15 formed atthe bottom of the base 10, and coupling protrusions 55 formed at theupper surface of the intermediate connector 50. Of course, the couplingprotrusions 55 may be formed at the bottom of the base 10, and thecoupling grooves 15 may be formed at the upper surface of theintermediate connector 50.

One of each coupling groove 15 and each coupling protrusion 55 may bemade of a metal material, whereas the other may be made of a magneticmaterial, so that they are coupled to each other by a magnetic force.Each coupling groove 15 and each coupling protrusion 55 may be made ofmagnetic materials having opposite polarities, respectively.Alternatively, one of each coupling groove 15 and each couplingprotrusion 55 may be made of a metal material, whereas the other may bemade of an electromagnet.

Accordingly, when the top of the head 100 is positioned near theintermediate connector 50, the intermediate connector 50 may be coupledto the head 100 by a magnetic force generated between the couplinggrooves 15 and the coupling protrusions 55. Since the coupling grooves15 and coupling protrusions 55 have corresponding shapes, respectively,the intermediate connector 50 is automatically positioned at a correct(i.e., the intermediate connector 50 is positioned properly, e.g., sothat it is aligned) position on the head 100

An injection guide 13 is mounted to the bottom of the base 10, forinjection of steam. In detail, the injection guide 13 is mounted to thebottom of the base 10 such that it has a lower surface flush with thelower surface of the intermediate connector 50. In one example, theinjection guide 13 has the same thickness as the intermediate connector50. However, it should be appreciated that the injection guide 13 may beprovided having any suitable shape or form. Of course, the injectionguide 13 may be formed integrally with the base 10.

A plurality of uniformly-spaced injection holes 13 b may be formed atthe lower surface of the injection guide 13 such that they communicatewith the steam generator 20. In this regard, the injection guide 13extends in a width direction of the base 10 such that it isperpendicular to the movement direction of the head 100 during acleaning operation. The injection guide 13 may be engaged in a guidehole 53 formed through the intermediate connector 50.

Side protrusions 13 a having a certain shape are formed at opposite sidesurfaces of the injection guide 13, in order to set the couplingposition of the intermediate connector 50. The side protrusions 13 a areengaged in insertion grooves 53 a provided at opposite side surfaces ofthe guide hole 53 of the intermediate connector 50. Of course, the sideprotrusions 13 a and insertion grooves 53 a may be coupled to each otherby a magnetic force

Thus, the intermediate connector 50 may be attached to the bottom of thebase 10 not only by the magnetic force exerted between the couplingprotrusions 55 and the coupling grooves 15, but also by the magneticforce exerted between the side protrusions 13 a and the insertiongrooves 53 a. Also, since the side protrusions 13 a and insertiongrooves 53 a have corresponding shapes, similarly to the couplingprotrusions 55 and coupling grooves 15, the intermediate connector 50can be more reliably positioned at the correct position thereof.

of course, it should be appreciated that, the coupling protrusions 55provided at the bottom of the base 10 and the coupling grooves 15provided at the intermediate connector 50 may be coupled in aninterference fit manner. Alternatively, the first coupler for thecoupling between the base 10 and the intermediate connector 50 mayinclude hooks formed at the bottom of the base 10, and hook groovesformed at the upper surface of the intermediate connector 50 such thatthe hook grooves engage with the hooks.

Alternatively, packing members each having a groove with a certain shapemay be formed at the bottom of the base 10, and coupling protrusions maybe formed at the upper surface of the intermediate connector 50 suchthat the coupling protrusions are interference-fit in (or closelyinterfit) the grooves of the packing members, respectively. In addition,the base 10 and intermediate connector 50 may be coupled to each otherby corresponding loops respectively formed at the base 10 andintermediate connector 50. Thus, the coupling between the base 10 andthe intermediate connector 50 may be achieved using a variety ofcouplers, and the present invention is not limited to theabove-described examples.

A coupling releaser may be provided at (or proximate) the intermediateconnector 50, in order to release the coupling of the intermediateconnector 50 to the base 10. The coupling releaser is a device forreleasing the magnetic force exerted between the intermediate connector50 and the base 10. In the illustrated embodiment, a pedal 57 providedat a portion of the peripheral edge of the intermediate connector 50 isused as the coupling releaser for releasing the coupling between theintermediate connector 50 and the base 10. The pedal 57 is outwardlyprotruded from the peripheral edge of the intermediate connector 50, andhas a shape corresponding to the foot shape of the user.

When the user depresses the pedal 57, the intermediate connector 50 isseparated (or decoupled) from the base 10. Preferably, the pedal 57 isarranged at a rear portion of the peripheral edge of the intermediateconnector 50 when viewing in the advance direction of the head 100. Thisis because the user is positioned at the rear of the head 100 in theadvance direction of the head 100 during and after a cleaning operation.

Of course, when the intermediate connector 50 and base 10 are coupledusing an electromagnet, the coupling releaser may be an electric devicefor cutting off supply of electric power.

Hereinafter, the coupling between the cleaning member and theintermediate connector will be described with reference to FIG. 6. For asteam cleaning operation, the intermediate connector 50 and cleaningmember 60 are coupled to each other by a second coupler, for example,including elements designated reference numerals 51 and 61. For thecleaning member 60, any member may be used, including a member capableof containing moisture provided from steam and cleaning a floor. In theillustrated non-limiting embodiment, a dustcloth is shown as thecleaning member for a steam cleaning operation.

In one non-limiting example, the second coupler includes male Velcromembers 51 mounted to the lower surface of the intermediate connector50, and a female Velcro member 61 mounted to an upper surface of thecleaning member 60. The male Velcro members 51 are arranged along aperipheral portion of the intermediate connector 50 while being spacedapart from one another by a predetermined distance.

The cleaning member 60 has a dustcloth portion 63 for actually cleaningthe floor. The user can couple the cleaning member 60 to the head 100 bycoupling the cleaning member 60 to the intermediate connector 50, andthen coupling the intermediate connector 50 to the base 10.

The Velcro members may be mounted only to the lower surface of theintermediate connector 50. In this case, the cleaning member may be madeof a material easily attachable to the Velcro members. Also, thecleaning member and intermediate connector may be coupled together by acoupler such as a rubber string.

For example, the rubber string is inserted into the cleaning member 60such that it extends along a peripheral portion of the cleaning member60. The cleaning member 60 is coupled to the intermediate connector 50such that the peripheral portion of the cleaning member 60, in which therubber string is inserted, encloses the peripheral portion of theintermediate connector. Alternatively, an elastic member such as arubber string may be used to bind the cleaning member in a state inwhich the cleaning member encloses the intermediate connector. Thus, thecoupling between the intermediate connector 50 and the cleaning member60 may be achieved using a variety of couplers, and the presentinvention is not limited to the above-described examples.

Hereinafter, the procedure for coupling the cleaning member,intermediate connector, and base will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6.

For example, the user may first couple the cleaning member 60 forcleaning of a contaminated floor to the intermediate connector 50. Inthis case, the user can easily perform the coupling between the cleaningmember 60 and the intermediate connector 50 because the male Velcromembers 51 are provided at the intermediate connector 50, and the femaleVelcro member 61 is provided at the cleaning member 60.

Next, the user moves the head 100 such that the top of the head 100 ispositioned near the intermediate connector 50. At this time, a magneticforce is exerted between the coupling protrusions 55 formed at theintermediate connector 50 and the coupling grooves 15 formed at thebottom of the base 10, so that the coupling protrusions 55 and couplinggrooves 15 attract each other.

As a result, the coupling protrusions 55 and coupling grooves 15 arecoupled together at correct positions (e.g., so that they are properlyaligned) thereof because they have corresponding shapes, respectively.At this time, the guide hole 53 of the intermediate connector 50 and theinjection guide 13 are automatically engaged with each other. At thesame time, the insertion grooves 53 a provided at the side surfaces ofthe guide hole 53 and the side protrusions 13 a formed at the sidesurfaces of the injection guide 13 are automatically coupled together.

Accordingly, the intermediate connector 50 and base 10 are correctlycoupled together in accordance with not only the coupling between thecoupling protrusions 55 and the coupling grooves 15, but also thecoupling between the insertion grooves 53 a and the side protrusions 13a.

After completion of the coupling of the intermediate connector 50 to thebottom of the base 10, the user operates the cleaner. When it is desiredto perform only the steam cleaning function, only the head 100 is drivento generate steam. On the other hand, when it is desired to perform boththe steam cleaning function and the vacuum cleaning function, the useroperates the cleaner to drive not only the head 100, but also thefan-motor assembly of the cleaner body 300.

Accordingly, air containing foreign matter (or debris) is sucked intothe air suction tube 30, so that the foreign matter is separated fromthe sucked air in the cleaner body 300. Dirt strongly attached to thefloor to be cleaned is removed by the cleaning member 60 heated bysteam.

After completion of the cleaning operation, the user depresses the pedal57 provided at the intermediate connector 50, thereby causing theintermediate connector 50 to be separated from the head 100.Accordingly, the user can separate the cleaning member 60 from the head100 without directly contacting the hot cleaning member 60.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

The cleaner having the above-described configuration has the followingeffects.

First, in the case where the cleaning member is first coupled to theintermediate connector, and then the intermediate connector is coupledto the base of the head, there is an advantage in that it is unnecessaryto attach the cleaning member to the head after overturning the head.

Second, there is an advantage in that it is possible to convenientlyattach the cleaning member to the head because the intermediateconnector supporting the cleaning member is coupled to the head by amagnetic force. There is another advantage in that the head andintermediate connector are coupled together at correct positions thereofin accordance with the coupling between the coupling grooves andcoupling protrusions having corresponding shapes and the couplingbetween the side protrusions and insertion grooves having correspondingshapes.

Third, there is an advantage in that it is unnecessary for the user todirectly contact the cleaning member by hand when the cleaning membershould be separated from the head after completion of the cleaningoperation, because the pedal is provided at one side of the intermediateconnector.

It is further noted that the foregoing examples have been providedmerely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construedas limiting of the present invention. While the present invention hasbeen described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it isunderstood that the words which have been used herein are words ofdescription and illustration, rather than words of limitation. Changesmay be made, within the purview of the appended claims, as presentlystated and as amended, without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention in its aspects. Although the present invention hasbeen described herein with reference to particular means, materials andembodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to theparticulars disclosed herein; rather, the present invention extends toall functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as arewithin the scope of the appended claims.

1. A cleaner comprising: a head including a base configured to face asurface to be cleaned; an intermediate connector detachably coupled to abottom of the base at an upper surface of the intermediate connector,wherein the intermediate connector supports a cleaning member that isdetachably coupled to a lower surface of the intermediate connector; anda first coupler that detachably couples the intermediate connector tothe bottom of the base.
 2. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein thefirst coupler further comprises coupling grooves provided at either oneof the intermediate connector and the base, and coupling protrusionsprovided at the other one of the intermediate connector and the base,wherein the coupling protrusions correspond to the coupling grooves,respectively.
 3. The cleaner according to claim 2, wherein a magneticforce couples the coupling protrusions and the coupling grooves.
 4. Thecleaner according to claim 3, wherein either one of each coupling grooveand each coupling protrusion is made of metal, and the other one of eachcoupling groove and each coupling protrusion is made of a magneticmaterial.
 5. The cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the intermediateconnector includes a coupling releaser to release the coupling betweenthe intermediate connector and the base.
 6. The cleaner according toclaim 5, wherein the coupling releaser is provided proximate a peripheryof the intermediate connector, and is located at a rear end of the head.7. The cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising: a steamgenerator, which generates steam, provided on the base.
 8. The cleaneraccording to claim 7, further comprising: an injection guide, providedat a bottom of the base, that injects steam generated by the steamgenerator into the cleaning member.
 9. The cleaner according to claim 8,wherein the intermediate connector further comprises a guide hole thatengages the injection guide such that the intermediate connector ispositioned on the head.
 10. The cleaner according to claim 9, whereineither one of the guide hole and the injection guide has side surfacesformed with side protrusions, and the other one of the guide hole andthe injection guide has side surfaces formed with insertion groovescorresponding to the side protrusions.
 11. The cleaner according toclaim 10, wherein a magnetic force couples the side protrusions and theinsertion grooves.
 12. The cleaner according to claim 7, furthercomprising: a water tank that communicates with the steam generator tosupply the steam generator with water.
 13. The cleaner according toclaim 1, further comprising: a second coupler that couples the cleaningmember and the intermediate connector.
 14. The cleaner according toclaim 1, further comprising: an air suction tube provided on the base,and configured to suck air containing debris, which is present on thesurface to be cleaned.
 15. A cleaner comprising: a cleaner including afan-motor assembly that sucks air; a dust collector detachably coupledto the cleaner body, wherein the dust collector is configured toseparate and collect debris from the sucked air; a head including an airsuction tube that sucks air in accordance with an operation of thefan-motor assembly, and a steam generator, which generates steam,arranged at one side of the air suction tube; an intermediate connectordetachably coupled to a bottom of the head at an upper surface of theintermediate connector, and the intermediate connector supporting acleaning member detachably coupled to a lower surface of theintermediate connector; and a first coupler that detachably couples theintermediate connector to a bottom of the head.
 16. The cleaneraccording to claim 15, further comprising: a connector that detachablyconnects the cleaner body and the head, to enable the cleaner to eithersimultaneously or selectively perform a vacuum cleaning function to suckair and generate steam.
 17. The cleaner according to claim 15, furthercomprising; a partition plate that prevents the steam from entering abase opening formed through the bottom of the head to communicate withthe air suction tube.
 18. A method for controlling a cleaner,comprising: coupling a cleaning member, which is configured to clean asoiled surface, to an intermediate connector; providing a head that isconfigured to face the soiled surface; coupling the intermediateconnector to a bottom of the head; performing a steam cleaning operationto steam-clean the soiled surface by injecting steam into the cleaningmember; and separating the intermediate connector from the head aftercompletion of the steam cleaning operation.
 19. The method according toclaim 18, further comprising: performing a vacuum cleaning operation bysucking air containing debris through an air suction tube mounted to thehead, and removing the debris from the sucked air.
 20. The methodaccording to claim 19, wherein the steam cleaning operation and thevacuum cleaning operation are simultaneously or selectively performed.